Curated Footwear Design + Innovation

Biomech Sneaker by Ilyas Darakchiev

Ilyas Darakchiev is back with another super intriguing concept; a low top sneaker that can transform into a hi.

“(The) main benefit is a new level of comfort. The shoes are easy to pull on, like any low cut, but it’s actually a Hi Top. It also it fits the ankle very well.” – Ilyas

Judging from the mock-up Ilyas has created below, it looks like he’s figured out a mechanical way to bring the side walls of the sneaker up when the user places their foot into it the shoe. Incredibly impressive.
It would be super intriguing to continue to tweak and iterate the whole concept. Perhaps this could be a way of incorporating ankle support when needed, but also maintaining the freedom and feel of wearing a low.

Ilyas also took the concept a little further, imagining how it may look as a regular adidas shoe initially, and then adding some inspiration from predatory plants.